Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,088, William Goff, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.S.
Goff, William
P 4,088
CONTENTS

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York County of Otsego } On this 11 th day of July 1833 personally appeared before me James C. Walworth Esq. a Judge of the courts of common pleas in and for the County of Otsego in the State of New York William Goff a resident of the town of Burlington in the County & State aforesaid aged Eighty-four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 - That he was born in the town of Country in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island (30 th January 1749 old Style) 8 th February 1749 - There is a Record of his age there on the town Records he has also a Record of his age in his own possession - He resided in Country aforesaid during the whole of the Revolutionary war and till the year 1790 in April when he removed to Burlington Otsego County in the State of New York his present place of residence where he has resided ever since -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated That he belonged to the Rhode Island Militia in Captain Edmund Johnson's Company in Colonel Brown and Major Wells Regiment - That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of Memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service nor the particular dates that he was called into the service nor the number of times he was called into the service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than two years and four months as a private and for such service I claim a Pension - his service was performed principally in Captain Johnson's Company in Colonel Wells Regiment of the Rhode Island Militia and he was drafted & ordered out on several occasions frequently during the whole period of the Revolutionary war from the year 1775 to the close of the war his service was performed at Bristol, Providence East Greenwich and Warwick and on the sea coast in the State of Rhode Island to keep guard and guard the shores the service was mainly performed at East Greenwich and Warwick He was a Farmer by occupation was obliged to go at all seasons Spring Summer Fall and Winter suffered abundance by Wet Cold and heat - He often had to lie out while on guard without any shelter in cold weather except the sea weeds we picked up during the seven years of the war he was in the service more than one third of the whole time Recollects General Washington General or Governor Ward and General Gannett at Warwick and General Sullivan at New Port was never in any battle and was never had a written discharge he was called out into the service in every year of the war every often - That he never served as a substitute for any other person -

That he never had a written discharge and that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service that Elders Stephen Taylor Zachariah Coe Samuel Bolton Truman Kilborn Moses Kellogg Ralph Chapman Charles Goodall and Doctor Isaac Cushman are his neighbours and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier in the Revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me James C. Wainworth Judge of Otsego Co. N.Y.
William Goff
We Stephen Taylor a clergyman residing in the town of Edmiston in the County of Otsego in the State of New York, and Truman Kilborn and Isaac Cushman both residing in the town of Berlin in the County of Otsego and State of New York -
Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Goff who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be Eighty four years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion and further that he has become very decrepit and infirm by reason of old age and his memory has become so impaired that he is not capable of giving an exact account of his service and that we fully believe that he did serve at least as much as he has stated -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me James C. Wainworth Judge of Otsego Co. N.Y.
Stephen Taylor Truman Kilborn Isaac Cushman

And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after the investigation putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the said Judge further certifies that Stephen Taylor who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman well known to him and is a resident of Edmiston in Otsego County and that Foreman Kelborn, a Merchant Post Master and Isaac Cushman a Physician who have also signed the same are respectable citizens of said County resident in the town of Burlington and likewise well known to him and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to belief and credit. And the said Judge further certifies that said William Goff the above named applicant by reason of old age has become so decrepit and infirm and labours under such bodily infirmities that he is unable to go out of his house and cannot attend Court, and further that his memory is so far impaired that he cannot give a detailed account of his service - And further that he the said Judge is fully satisfied and believes that the said applicant did perform at least the amount of the service set forth in his declaration.
James C. Mather Judge of Otsego County Courts
State of New York Otsego County
ss: I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify, that James C. Mather Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration of William Goff and the affidavits of Stephen Taylor, Foreman Kelborn & Isaac Cushman, purport to have been solemnly sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Judges of Otsego County Courts, duly appointed & sworn therein, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & rightly believe his name subscribed to the said Declaration, & to the above affidavits, to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand, Seal of Office this 25 th day of July, 1833.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk
James C. Mather Judge of Otsego County Courts

William Goff
26. 225.
See Syl. Rev. if any for microfilm
Henry L. Shultz day N.Y.

State of New York } County of Rensselaer }
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of the Courts of the County aforesaid Rufus Johnson aged 80 years a resident of Hoosic in the County of Rensselaer and State aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in this deponent was well acquainted with William Goff late of the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego (now deceased) in the time of the Revolutionary war that said Goff lived during the period of said war in the town of Kent in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island That said Goff did serve in the Militia of the state of Rhode Island in the war of the Revolution in Capt Edmund Johnson's Company in Col. Brown's Regt. as a guard to guard the shores - at Bristol Providence East Greenwich Warwick and Along the sea Coast in said State in all a Period Not Up than two years - during the Period of said war - That this deponent did serve with said Goff at three months  and three months at a time
months - and this deponent does know that said Goff did serve at East Greenwich & etc  the  the  time  the  time  time  was  was  a  a  sub  sub  stant  stant  in  in  said  said  company  company long enough to make up the time above specified because he knows that he was called away into the service a great part of the time he should think at least one third - and he knows that said Goff suffered great loss in his farming business in consequence of being obliged to be gone so much
with the time  time  he  he  was  was  away  away  from  from  his  his  farm  farm also that he knows that said Goff was at the time of said war a resident of the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego and State of New York
Rufus Johnson

I certify that I am well acquainted with Rufus Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me. That he is a credible person and entitled to full credit in his statements and that the word one before year was altered before the execution of the same
J. C. Watrous a Judge of Otago County courts

State of New York Essex County ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in said County, Frazar Whipple a resident of Burlington in Essex County aged seventy-five years the 9th of November instant - Who being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith; That in the time of the Revolutionary war she (the deponent) lived in the town of Coeymans County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island from the year 1775 till the close of the war 1783 That she was well acquainted with William Goff of Coeymans aforesaid that this deponent does well remember that said William Goff was very often called out into the service in Albany and being drafted in the Militia about  very  frequently during said war that she lived a near neighbour to said Goff and she frequently saw him going off with the troops as she then understood to Bristol to East Greenwich and to Warwick and to the Coast to guard the shore, that she cannot with precision state the length of time he was gone into the service, but she says that at the least that he was in the service to the amount of two years and four months during the said war according to the best of her recollection and belief - That she will remember that he was gone into the service so much and so often during several years of the war that his business on his farm was neglected, and that he suffered great loss in his farming business on that account.
Sworn to and subscribed this 4th day of November 1833
Frazar Whipple
Before me
Mark Ebenezer Sheldon Justice of the Peace

Oregon County So.
I certify that the within named Freelove Whipple is a person of respectability and credibility and that her statement is entitled to credit and belief & from debility is unable to write Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid Ebenezer Sheldon Justice of the Peace

Power of Attorney of Abigail Day daughter of William Goff of New York Act June 7. 1832
Abigail Day daughter of Wm Goff

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF New York COUNTY OF Otsego } ss.
Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Abigail Day a resident of Burlington in the county of Otsego in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, states that
she is a surviving Daughter & Heir at law of William Goff deceased late of the county of
Otsego and State of New York who was a revolutionary † Soldier
and that she believes the United States are still indebted, under existing laws, for the pension that was due under the application heretofore made, and that she is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made as aforesaid, and constitutes and appoints ISAAC N. COFFIN , of Washington, D. C., her true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, I have hereon this fourteenth day of October 1852, hereunto signed my name, and affixed my seal.
Witness: Solomon N. Day } Abigail Day Annman H. Day }
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this 14 th day of October 1852.
Solomon N. Day / forth of Sam J. P.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, I, Samuel North , Clerk of the County of Otsego, do hereby certify that
Solomon N. Day whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace, of the county of Otsego, dwelling in said County; duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that his signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New-York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 15 th day of October A. D., 1852
Samuel North CLERK.
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words, "widow of," and the name of her husband; if both dead, insert the words, "son or daughter of," and name of the former unsuccessful applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.
NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter a before the word he in every place where it occurs.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF New York COUNTY OF Otsego } ss:
Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Abigail Day a resident of Burlington in the county of Otsego in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, states that
she is a surviving Daughter & Heir at law of William Goff deceased late of the county of
Otsego and State of New York who was a revolutionary † Soldier
and that she believes the United States are still indebted, under existing laws, for the pension that was due under the application heretofore made, and that she is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made as aforesaid, and constitutes and appoints ISAAC N. COFFIN, of Washington, D. C., her true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, I have  here on this fourteenth day of October 1852, hereunto signed my name, and affixed my seal.
Witness: Solomon N. Day Abigail Day Abigail Day
Abigail Day Solomon N. Day (with seal) Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this 14 th day of October 1852. Solomon N. Day (with seal) J. P.
} to wit:
clerk of the court, of the county and State
of the county aforesaid, do hereby certify, That before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this day of October 1852.
Clerk.
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words, "widow of," and the name of her husband; if both dead, insert the words, "son or daughter of," and name of the former unsuccessful applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.
NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word As in every place where it occurs.

Wm Goff n o 26225
some proof reg d In place of MSU with Wm Walker Papers -
H. Sill Esq

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sep. 18. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Wm Goff N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Name and rank of the Field officer under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     vide note. e. -  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
N.B. some proof of so much alleged service should be produced.
Mr Wm Goff Recd 1 Sept. 1833

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which such applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the years, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
RECEIVED
4088.
P. O.
Wm Goff
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

26,228
New York
William Goff
Ad. 1832
Let to H. H. H. May 31. 1837
" same - June 12. 1837
act. 7 th June 1832

Burlington N.Y. June 16.
Hon. J. L.
Free Pension Hon. Geo. P. Hovey Secy Comm. Pensions
Washington D.C.

Burlington N.Y. 16 th 1837 Hon. J. S. Edwards Sir
Your Letter of the 12 th inst. is received on the subject of the claim of William Goff. Dec d . You state therein "In order to enable the department to decide whether the children of the deceased are entitled to a pension under the act, each  the  benefits  which  should be  should be specified by ordinance  act  enacted  in In reply I can only state that diligence has been used to find such witnesses but none are known to be living who can testify more specifically than those already adduced and it can hardly be supposed that after so long a lapse of time that if such witnesses were living that served with him in every particular term of his service that their memories would be tenacious enough to enable them to enable them to testify exactly almost all the revolutionary men now living are old and infirm and their memories impaired. Therefore in relation to this case the children can rely only upon the testimony already in your office and if that is not sufficient to entitle them to any allowance no other (that is now known of) can be procured.
I am respectfully yours &c.
Henry Sill